Summary of session in house: the NDP forces the Conservatives to back down on several key issues

Dedicated work by New Democrats helps protect Canadians’ jobs and right to vote

The NDP had a positive session in Parliament and forced the Conservatives to modify their Unfair Elections Act, place a moratorium on hiring temporary foreign workers, maintain the passenger rail service in Atlantic Canada and cancel the iPod tax.

“The NDP has demonstrated that by working together with Canadians, we can stop Stephen Harper,” said NDP leader Tom Mulcair.

However, New Democrats are under no illusion that Stephen Harper is changing his ways. The Conservatives shut down debate an unprecedented 75 times in the House of Commons and they want to impose their will on Canadians from the top down, as we saw recently with the approval of the Northern Gateway pipeline project, against the will of 2/3 of British-Columbians.

Under the Conservatives’ watch, the country’s trade deficit reached $60.7 billion in 2013 and youth unemployment remains a major problem. Instead of working with us on these issues, Stephen Harper is focused on a $3 billion income-splitting tax break for the country’s richest few.

“Our work is far from over. We must continue to fight to restore the services that Canadian families need and depend on, like home mail delivery and EI. We will keep standing up to protect Canadians from the Conservatives’ attempt to invade their privacy, “ added Mr. Mulcair.

“Canadians deserve better than an obstinate government that sits idle instead of stimulating our economy and taking care of the less fortunate. Canadians deserve a government that creates jobs and wealth around the country – and that is what the NDP will be offering them in 2015,” Mr. Mulcair concluded.